Investigating the feasibility of MePlusMe, an online intervention to support mental health, wellbeing, and study skills in higher education students

TY - JOUR

T1 - Investigating the feasibility of MePlusMe, an online intervention to support mental health, wellbeing, and study skills in higher education students

AU - Goozee, Rhianna

AU - Barrable, Alexia

AU - Lubenko, Jelena

AU - Papadatou-Pastou, Marietta

AU - Haddad, Mark

AU - McKeown, Eamonn

AU - Hirani, Shashivadan

AU - Martin, Maryanne

AU - Tzotzoli, Patapia

N1 - Copyright: © 2022 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group

PY - 2022/5/12

Y1 - 2022/5/12

N2 - Introduction: While there are several web-based mental health interventions, few target higher education (HE) students. Importantly, more research is needed to establish their effectiveness. Here, we provide a pragmatic evaluation of an online intervention (MePlusMe) specifically designed to improve the mental health, well-being, and study skills of HE students. Methods: In accordance with the published protocol for a feasibility study, we recruited a convenience sample of 137 HE students to participate in an eight-week intervention, with 26 participants retained at week 8. Validated measures of mood (depression and anxiety), well-being, and self-efficacy were collected at baseline, 2, 4, and 8weeks, alongside two feedback forms assessing design and functionality (baseline) and engagement (week 4 and 8).Results: We observed significant reductions in levels of anxiety and depression as well as increases in well-being, but no changes in self-efficacy. Participants rated the system design and functionality positively and qualitative findings indicated high levels of satisfaction with MePlusMe.Discussion: Findings support both the acceptability and the effectiveness of MePlusMe. Nonetheless, modest retention rates limit the precision and generalisability of these findings. Further investigation should ascertain optimal duration of engagement, most acceptable means of outcome assessment, and further detail about obstacles to utilisation.

AB - Introduction: While there are several web-based mental health interventions, few target higher education (HE) students. Importantly, more research is needed to establish their effectiveness. Here, we provide a pragmatic evaluation of an online intervention (MePlusMe) specifically designed to improve the mental health, well-being, and study skills of HE students. Methods: In accordance with the published protocol for a feasibility study, we recruited a convenience sample of 137 HE students to participate in an eight-week intervention, with 26 participants retained at week 8. Validated measures of mood (depression and anxiety), well-being, and self-efficacy were collected at baseline, 2, 4, and 8weeks, alongside two feedback forms assessing design and functionality (baseline) and engagement (week 4 and 8).Results: We observed significant reductions in levels of anxiety and depression as well as increases in well-being, but no changes in self-efficacy. Participants rated the system design and functionality positively and qualitative findings indicated high levels of satisfaction with MePlusMe.Discussion: Findings support both the acceptability and the effectiveness of MePlusMe. Nonetheless, modest retention rates limit the precision and generalisability of these findings. Further investigation should ascertain optimal duration of engagement, most acceptable means of outcome assessment, and further detail about obstacles to utilisation.

KW - Students

KW - online support

KW - study skills

KW - anxiety

KW - depression

KW - MePlusMe

KW - mental health

KW - wellbeing

KW - digital intervention

KW - higher education institutions

KW - student support services

KW - COVID-19

KW - well-being

UR - https://doi.org/10.31234/osf.io/bm9g4

UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/85130439380

U2 - 10.1080/09638237.2022.2069699

DO - 10.1080/09638237.2022.2069699

M3 - Article

C2 - 35549804

SN - 0963-8237

JO - Journal of Mental Health

JF - Journal of Mental Health

ER -